If I plan to go to the Louvre in the next few weeks around 3:00 when the museum is open until 9:00 is a museum pass a good idea? I will be going to the Orsay the next day and would pay the the extra amt. for the pass to avoid a long wait in line at the Louvre.
Posted by
Raton
44 posts
Debra: I just got back from Paris. Museum Pass was a lifesaver. Often got us past the long lines. (although still brief lines at both Louvre and Orsay for security check). Go to www.parismuseumpass.com to order the pass online. (2 days at 39 Euros; can also by one for more days). I got mine in the mail in about a week. Covers at least 40 or 50 museums. It will pay for itself after 5 or 6 museums. Just go up to the clerk and show them the pass and they will direct you to a shorter line. One word of advice from Rick Steves, re: best entry into the Louvre for Pass holdersgo to Rue du Rivoli side, and enter under the red awning. No joke, this takes you down to the shopping mall area and straight into the security line. Don't get trapped upstairs in the courtyard by the pyramid! (The Orsay line was a little longer, but we got there during a special event of some kind, and the whole town had turned out! You should have no problem there either). One final comment 3:00-9:00 at the Louvre will maybe get you through one wing. I recommend the Denon wing, as it has the Mona Lisa and several other famous paintings and sculptures. Have a great trip!
Posted by
Ramona, CA
63 posts
Buy the museum pass at a Paris airport and save the ridiculous shipping fee. Remember that the pass is good for two "consecutive" days. At the Louvre, save yourself some disappointment (and time) by avoiding the Mona Lisa (at least save it till last). It is a small work to begin with and you will get no closer than ten feet, even after elbowing your way through the horde of snap-shotting tourists to the guard rail. Any picture you take will be hopelessly clouded by glare from the bulletproof plexiglass. Seriously, the best look at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre is a reproduction in the gift shop unless you're a VIP.
Posted by
America's Vancouver and the First
111 posts
Actually, you can buy a museum pass for 2, 4 or 6 days. We bought one for 4 days and used it heavily. Definitely buy it at the airport - which is where you can also buy the carnet, a packet of 10 metro tickets. During our stay, we heavily used the metro (we were staying outside a bit in the Vincennes neighborhood so it was a metro to everywhere) and went through 3 carnet.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
142 posts
Is the museum pass sold within the airport or outside of security? I'll have a connection there but won't go outside of the secured area.